CQR CLUB ESPORTS TEAM
The 2016 Project CARS Esports season is an international affair with car simulator teams competing from all around the globe. For our latest team interview, though, we’ve decided to highlight a team that’s a little closer to home.
The CQR Club eSports Team hails from the United Kingdom, which also happens to be the home of Project CARS developers, Slightly Mad Studios. CQR is the leading British outfit in our official competitions, though the team also includes drivers from the US and other locations. CQR currently lies fifth in the PC Division of both the Logitech G Championship Series and the NVIDIA Challenger Series. It also has a console team in the NCS, which currently sits tenth in the team standings.
We sat down with CQR drivers, Magictap, and Deuce to find out how the team approaches each championship, and what motivates them to race at such a high level.
How and when did you first become interested in sim racing?
Magictap: Personally, I’ve always dreamed of something similar to Project CARS since I first played racing games on a BBC Micro and a ZX Spectrum. Chequered Flag, Pole Position and REVS where all favourites, and in my imagination looked much better than they did at the time. So it’s safe to say that I've been dabbling for a while! Although the first sim that I can probably remember owning is iRacing.
Deuce: My first taste of competitive hot lapping began with the MotoGP demo when Xbox Live was first launched. Then went on to organised online racing in games like TOCA Race Driver 2 and the Forza series. I’ve dabbled with iRacing too.
We sat down with CQR drivers, Magictap, and Deuce to find out how the team approaches each championship, and what motivates them to race at such a high level.
How and when did you first become interested in sim racing?
Magictap: Personally, I’ve always dreamed of something similar to Project CARS since I first played racing games on a BBC Micro and a ZX Spectrum. Chequered Flag, Pole Position and REVS where all favourites, and in my imagination looked much better than they did at the time. So it’s safe to say that I've been dabbling for a while! Although the first sim that I can probably remember owning is iRacing.
Deuce: My first taste of competitive hot lapping began with the MotoGP demo when Xbox Live was first launched. Then went on to organised online racing in games like TOCA Race Driver 2 and the Forza series. I’ve dabbled with iRacing too.
Which racing games did you play competitively before Project CARS?
Magictap: The first competitive online tournaments for me were in Forza Motorsport 2. Using a forum based model for rules chat and entry, etc. I’ve raced in iRacing and RacePro too.
Why did you enter the 2016 Project CARS championships?
Magictap: The forum model was not being supported properly by Forza and the forums themselves seemed to be flagging due to lack of interest as the games didn’t cater to the format properly any longer. We tried the ESL Project CARS Cups first and loved them, then we came across the SMS Championships. We thought that, as a team, we should represent as a few of us had Project CARS already, and it suits the wheel better than most other titles. We like that our members can race any title and keep things diverse.
Magictap: The first competitive online tournaments for me were in Forza Motorsport 2. Using a forum based model for rules chat and entry, etc. I’ve raced in iRacing and RacePro too.
Why did you enter the 2016 Project CARS championships?
Magictap: The forum model was not being supported properly by Forza and the forums themselves seemed to be flagging due to lack of interest as the games didn’t cater to the format properly any longer. We tried the ESL Project CARS Cups first and loved them, then we came across the SMS Championships. We thought that, as a team, we should represent as a few of us had Project CARS already, and it suits the wheel better than most other titles. We like that our members can race any title and keep things diverse.
How do you prepare for each round of the two Project CARS Esports Series? Does each one require a different approach?
Magictap: Personally, with a full time job, three year old boy and loving wife, I’m limited as to when I can actually make it online. I would love nothing more than spending hours lapping to improve, but alas those carefree days are long gone! I rock up and run a few laps. Then if I have time I will try again another evening. Lately, it's been one or two attempts for a couple of hours each.
Deuce: I have a very understanding wife, but with a full time job there’s not always as much time as one would like. When an event starts I try to put in an hour every night, sometimes more, but that's not always possible with everyday life.
Magictap: Personally, with a full time job, three year old boy and loving wife, I’m limited as to when I can actually make it online. I would love nothing more than spending hours lapping to improve, but alas those carefree days are long gone! I rock up and run a few laps. Then if I have time I will try again another evening. Lately, it's been one or two attempts for a couple of hours each.
Deuce: I have a very understanding wife, but with a full time job there’s not always as much time as one would like. When an event starts I try to put in an hour every night, sometimes more, but that's not always possible with everyday life.
Who tunes the cars for your team in the Logitech G Championship Series? Do the drivers work on setups together?
Magictap: Funnily enough, we don't have a tuner! Thankfully I came across some setups and the owner allowed us to use them. Would really like to shout out to Headpain and his brother jeda50 on Steam, as they share their setups with us. We would not have scored so many points without their support. Thanks very much chaps.
How do you rate the team's chances of winning the NVIDIA Challenger Series or the Logitech G Championship Series?
Magictap: We entered as a bit of fun to learn and gather experience this season. Our first season in Project CARS needed some work for us to commit, but this season it’s very good fun. Most of us driving Project CARS are on the older side to be able to challenge properly. We feel that we can bring some fun and challenge at times though. Maybe there will be a surprise if something clicks!
Have any of your drivers raced any cars in real life?
Magictap: We have a couple of real race drivers in CQR Club currently. The closest I have come is karting and a Palmer Sport event which I would heartily recommend.
Deuce: I haven't done any racing on four wheels but I’ve done many track days on two wheels and I’ve entered a few novice races in the CMRA (Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association).
Magictap: Funnily enough, we don't have a tuner! Thankfully I came across some setups and the owner allowed us to use them. Would really like to shout out to Headpain and his brother jeda50 on Steam, as they share their setups with us. We would not have scored so many points without their support. Thanks very much chaps.
How do you rate the team's chances of winning the NVIDIA Challenger Series or the Logitech G Championship Series?
Magictap: We entered as a bit of fun to learn and gather experience this season. Our first season in Project CARS needed some work for us to commit, but this season it’s very good fun. Most of us driving Project CARS are on the older side to be able to challenge properly. We feel that we can bring some fun and challenge at times though. Maybe there will be a surprise if something clicks!
Have any of your drivers raced any cars in real life?
Magictap: We have a couple of real race drivers in CQR Club currently. The closest I have come is karting and a Palmer Sport event which I would heartily recommend.
Deuce: I haven't done any racing on four wheels but I’ve done many track days on two wheels and I’ve entered a few novice races in the CMRA (Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association).
What cars do your team members drive in real life?
Magictap: I'm in London so I use Zipcar, a car-sharing club. The best cars I've ever owned were a Mk1 Ford Escort Mexico, and an Audi Quattro Turbo. I miss them both very much.
Deuce: I have a Toyota Tacoma Pre Runner. I know, boring, right? I've only ever owned pick up trucks, but if I had to choose a car I'd like to own one day, it would be a Lancer Evo. I've always enjoyed the way they look even though they do get a lot of flack for their aesthetics.
What is each team members’ favourite car and track to race in Project CARS?
Magictap: In every other race game, I've always found a favourite car and circuit combo. The strange thing is that in Project CARS, there are lots of great cars and circuits. I wouldn't want to pick just one to be honest! I enjoy the variety of race cars and circuits that challenge whilst allowing you to push. It all looks stunning as well.
Deuce: To be honest, I don't really have one. Come to think of it, I've never really had a favourite in any sim. I do have tracks and cars that I love or hate, but I really don't have a favourite.
What does the future hold for CQR?
MAGiC (CQR’s team leader):
CQR Club has built a strong reputation of integrity and excellence over the last five years, and we plan to continue that for many years to come—building on our knowledge and experience in all aspects of sim racing and motorsport. We've always taken an all encompassing approach to this sport we love—not tying ourselves to one particular game or platform, but Project CARS—and no doubt Project CARS 2—will continue to be an important part of the club!
Magictap: I'm in London so I use Zipcar, a car-sharing club. The best cars I've ever owned were a Mk1 Ford Escort Mexico, and an Audi Quattro Turbo. I miss them both very much.
Deuce: I have a Toyota Tacoma Pre Runner. I know, boring, right? I've only ever owned pick up trucks, but if I had to choose a car I'd like to own one day, it would be a Lancer Evo. I've always enjoyed the way they look even though they do get a lot of flack for their aesthetics.
What is each team members’ favourite car and track to race in Project CARS?
Magictap: In every other race game, I've always found a favourite car and circuit combo. The strange thing is that in Project CARS, there are lots of great cars and circuits. I wouldn't want to pick just one to be honest! I enjoy the variety of race cars and circuits that challenge whilst allowing you to push. It all looks stunning as well.
Deuce: To be honest, I don't really have one. Come to think of it, I've never really had a favourite in any sim. I do have tracks and cars that I love or hate, but I really don't have a favourite.
What does the future hold for CQR?
MAGiC (CQR’s team leader):
CQR Club has built a strong reputation of integrity and excellence over the last five years, and we plan to continue that for many years to come—building on our knowledge and experience in all aspects of sim racing and motorsport. We've always taken an all encompassing approach to this sport we love—not tying ourselves to one particular game or platform, but Project CARS—and no doubt Project CARS 2—will continue to be an important part of the club!
